The Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster: Modeling of Human Diseases (Part II)

Abstract

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen, 1830) has been established as a key model organism thanks in part to their considerable biological similarity to mammals and an abundance of available genetic tools. Drosophila have been used to model many human disease states and have been critical in elucidating the genetic mechanisms contributing to them. Part I of this chapter covered basic Drosophila biology and relevant genetic tools available to Drosophila researchers. Here in part II, we review the use of Drosophila as a model organism to study neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, cancer, metabolic disorders, and immune disorders, as well as key findings made in those fields thanks to Drosophila research.

Genotoxic Assessment of the Dry Decoction of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Anacardiaceae) Leaves in Somatic Cells of Drosophila melanogaster by the Comet and SMART Assays

“…However, in recent years, different alternative model organisms have been validated to minimize the number of higher organisms used in toxicological research and testing (Siddique et al ). In this context, the fruit fly D. melanogaster is a well‐established insect model for human diseases and toxicological research due to its well‐characterized genetics and developmental biology (Graf et al ; Ostiling and Johanson ; Singh et al ; Siddique et al ; Pandey and Nichols ; Allocca et al ). As a good model system, the molecular pathways in D. melanogaster share many similarities with those found in humans, with approximately 75% of human disease‐causing genes having at least one functional homolog in the fly (Allocca et al ), and a high degree of conservation and face validity to facilitate the primary screening and interpretation of results (Pandey and Nichols ).…”

“…In this context, the fruit fly D. melanogaster is a well‐established insect model for human diseases and toxicological research due to its well‐characterized genetics and developmental biology (Graf et al ; Ostiling and Johanson ; Singh et al ; Siddique et al ; Pandey and Nichols ; Allocca et al ). As a good model system, the molecular pathways in D. melanogaster share many similarities with those found in humans, with approximately 75% of human disease‐causing genes having at least one functional homolog in the fly (Allocca et al ), and a high degree of conservation and face validity to facilitate the primary screening and interpretation of results (Pandey and Nichols ). For genetic toxicology, the universality of DNA and genetic code provides a rational basis for the use of nonhuman models to predict the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of xenobiotics, despite the differences in metabolism, DNA repair, and other physiological processes (Vilar et al ).…”

Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cellular dysfunction and cell death in insulin-producing cells results in diabetes-like phenotypes in Drosophila

“…The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has served as an excellent model for many diseases during the past decade, including metabolic diseases (Allocca et al, 2018;Ugur et al, 2016;Inoue et al, 2018;Yamaguchi, 2018). Insulin, its receptor and the insulin-signaling pathway are highly conserved between mammals and Drosophila (Teleman, 2010).…”

Thanks to Drosophila in advancing biomedical research

“…In 1910, no one could imagine that the small fly, Drosophila reared in Thomas Morgan Lab at Columbia University, USA will help us to understand genetics, developmental processes, innate immunity, complex behaviour and neural control of several functions in eukaryotes, including humans. The vinegar fly, D. melanogaster is a small insect which attracted scientists to answer several important questions and as a low-cost and valuable model for studying neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, kidney diseases, metabolic, respiratory and immune disorders, intestinal inflammation and pathogens, cancer and ageing (Allocca et al, 2018), because it is easy to be cultured to produce large numbers as well as its short life cycle; its mutant lines are available in several centers. Besides, its genome has been sequenced which showed approximately 75% similarity of the human diseaserelated genes.…”

“…Several international bodies, such as DrosAfrica, have been playing great efforts to help developing countries to use Drosophila as a model organism in biomedical research. DrosAfrica is one of the prominent charity in UK that has been founded with the aim "Building an African biomedical research community using drosophila" (Allocca et al, 2018). During the last decade, DrosAfrica succeeded to organize several workshops in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia to train African researchers and students on Drosophila.…”